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Creative Voyage Korea
Literary chat material for potential discussion:
Published in 2026, this small novel (160-180pp) became a bestseller in Korea selling more than 1 million copies by 2018. And, it has been translated into 18 different languages.
The storyline centers on a young woman who reluctantly gives up work to become a stay-at-home mother. She develops depression and as it deepens, she takes us on a personal and generational journey highlighting the everyday sexism she and others, have experienced from birth to their present day.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 raises discussion around a number of social issues: gender and generational inequality, motherhood, workplace discrimination, pressure to conform, societal systems and the treatment of mental illness. At its time of publication in Korea, the novel stirred intense social debate and controversy, leading to slow but lasting societal change.
As well as the novel’s themes, there is much to discuss around Cho Nam-Joo’s style of writing, her character choices, their development and the ending.
After reading the novel I recommend the following links (spoilers abound!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Ji-young,_Born_1982;
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 review – South Korean #MeToo bestseller
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 has also attracted immense International appeal. An interesting approach to understanding why, might be to look at the book cover designs adopted for various countries. Perhaps the following link could be the starting point for such a discussion:
https://lookingatbooks.substack.com/p/looking-at-kim-jiyoung-born-1982
I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this, and any other novels you may have read, as we continue our Creative Voyage Korea. Please feel welcome to make suggestions.
See you all at our first stop, the MoMo Lounge at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Myeongdong!
K-Literature
| Outside, summer green has quietly taken hold, shimmering wherever the eye turns. Early summer is a season of becoming. Tender shoots unfurl into leaves, and small stories, nurtured over time, find their way into books. In this June newsletter, we follow Korean literature as it continues its journey beyond borders, meeting readers around the world. As the green deepens with the season, may these pages offer a moment of freshness—a place to pause, reflect, and linger in the shade of a good sentence. 💚 |
To read the entire Newsletter: Click here
2025 Japan Final Itinerary
This is the final itinerary for the trip commencing today.
Memories Made Real
Japan 2024 Photo Book, created by Rosemary King
Through her inspred selection of photographs and texts, Rosemary has created a book that not only records our trip to Japan, but captures the colours and spirit of our cultural immersion. Nature, and the beauty of the changing seasons are eternal subjects in Japanese art and culture; this book is a celebration of our journey to that discovery. Thank you, Rosemary.
If you would like to view the book, click here: Japan 2024, then click OPEN and turn the pages using the > below the title page, as seen in the image below. It is also possible to order the book from the albumworks link.
The Arts of JAPAN 2025 (announcement)
TOUR DATES: 22 OCT – 3 NOV 2025
14 Day Fly/Tour Package
Including: Return Japan Airlines Economy Airfare, optional upgrades
Internal travel by high-speed Shinkansen trains and private coach
12 nights 4* centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast
5 nights Tokyo; 3 nights Kyoto; 1 night Okayama; 2 nights Uno Port, daily access to Naoshima
Highlights:
Tokyo Art Museum & Garden Visits & Guided Tours
Hakone Open Air Sculpture Museum
Guided tours of Kyoto Temples/Shrines, Craft Museums, Geisha Districts & the Miho Museum
Visit Okayama Korakuen Garden
Visit Bizen Pottery Village with master potter, Dr John Wells
2 full days on Naoshima, Art Island, with expert, Japanese, art guide
Maximum group size: 12
Calling for ‘Expressions of Interest’ from art & cultural enthusiasts with curious minds & active imaginations!
RSVP: artytravel2@gmail.com
On the Nihonbashi Bridge
Travellers and Edo locals, 1805
Australian traveller, 2024
Contemporary Art in Seoul
Henry Moore meets Gwon Osang at Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Enjoy!!!
K-HOTEL ART
Fresh floral K-map suffusing a glorious rosy scent over the Lobby Cafe
A fruity, timeless, landscape-fantasy above the Lobby Bar
Let me out to play!
Add your own caption 😉
K-ART
A few favourites:
Last night’s dinner
Appertiser
First course
Second course
Main course
Dessert – all absolutely delicious!
Stepping into the Past
Changdeokgung Palace
Traditional hanbok dress at the Palace
17,000 steps in the Hanok Village!
First Day in Seoul
- KIAF Contemporary Art Fair
The artist is talking from his wheelchair. The artwork is a mosquito – can you find it? Hint: enlarge the bonnet of the car!
2. Frieze Contemporary Art Fair
Colour was paramount, but some people were confused about who and what was on display!
Hello South Korea!
In little over a week, I am travelling to South Korea: Hallyu-land of K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty and Academy Award winning K-movies – all securely founded on a social base of Confucian principles and centuries of art and cultural refinement.
Follow here as I explore and discover as much as possible in my brief two week visit under the guidance of the Korean Tourist Organisation.
Please feel welcome to comment and ask questions as I travel. I will do my best to respond.
